I believe we are, to a large degree, what we eat. So whole
food nutrition is a topic I love to explore.

One of the most comprehensive studies of nutrition ever
conducted was called the China Study, and the findings are incorporated into a
book of the same name by T. Colin Campbell, PhD and Thomas M. Campbell II.

Dr. Campbell directed high level scientific research for
almost fifty years and has played an instrumental role in shaping health
organizations such as the American Institute for Cancer Research. The China Study produced more than 8,000 statistically significant associations between various dietary factors and disease! Quoting from his book, “…so many pointed to the same finding: people who ate the most animal-based foods got the most chronic disease. Even relatively small intakes of animal-based food were associated with adverse effects. People who ate the most plant-based foods were the healthiest and tended to avoid chronic disease. ..The health implications of consuming either animal or plant-based nutrients were
remarkably different.”

Perhaps you have heard this before but don’t know how or feel comfortable venturing into new territory, i.e. letting go of our beloved meat protein. How do we make the change from a meat-based diet (very American!) to a plant-based diet? I am on this journey with my two boys and will share all I know. First it helps to get motivation behind why we would want to change our diet in the first place. It can be unsettling, especially for kids, but doesn’t need to be. They (we) must have the desire or understanding as to ‘why’ we would change what we eat in the first place. Here is a great place to start: watch some movies
together! Have you seen Food Inc., Eating, King Corn, Super Size Me,
or Food Matters? They are very motivating and educational. As a parent, I
realize it is up to me to educate my kids on the matter of health, food and
nutrition in our country and elsewhere. I highly recommend these movies.